Stuttgart museum welcomes visitors from around the world

Museum visitors range from all ages, nationalities and are from all kinds of demographic areas throughout the region, state, country and the world.

Bill Shrumbshrum@stuttgartdailyleader.com

Since the 1974 opening of the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie at 921 E. Fourth St., the name has changed a few times, but the museum has been a constant place for all visitors

Museum visitors range from all ages, nationalities and are from all kinds of demographic areas throughout the region, state, country and the world.

"I think people would be very surprised by how many international visitors we have. It is very common to have German visitors," Melanie Baden, director of the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie said. "Most people see the name Stuttgart and are curious about the city that was named after Stuttgart, Germany.”

Baden said during the German Heritage Festival, it was nice to see all of the local, state, national and international visitors interact with each other.

"Our furthest visitor so far this year is from New Zealand," Baden said."The museum has seen more bus tours this past year. We have several hundred school children scheduled before the end of May," Baden said.

"The attendance fluctuates from season to season," Baden said. "Gas prices have an effect on our numbers."The museum events also attract local visitors, as well as the museum gift shoppe, which has impacted our local numbers particularly during the holiday season." Baden said.

"Coming soon we will feature a new exhibit depicting a narrative about Richard E. Bell's time and life as the Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture,"Baden said.

The Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie is free to the public.

The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The museum is closed on Sunday, Monday and all holidays.

For more information on the museum, contact the staff at (870) 673-7001.